Traveling from Hempstead to Bridgehampton covers 74.3 miles across the Northeast, making for a manageable day trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Southern State Parkway, Sunrise Highway, and County Road 39. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $12, this journey is straightforward and does not require an overnight stay. Since the entire route remains within New York, you will experience a consistent regional feel from start to finish. It is an ideal excursion if you are looking to head east without the commitment of a multi-day haul.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.2 miles from Hempstead, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sunrise Highway
43.9 mi
57m
Southern State Parkway
15.4 mi
18m
County Road 39
5.5 mi
11m
Montauk Highway
4.8 mi
9m
Jerusalem Avenue
2.7 mi
4m
Bay Shore Road
0.5 mi
1m
William Street
0.4 mi
1m
Howells Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Sunrise Highway
— 43.9 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hempstead, NY and Bridgehampton, NY.
1
Start on Peninsula Boulevard
0.1 mi·11 sec·Peninsula Boulevard
2
Turn slight right onto NY 102
0.2 mi·14 sec·Front Street
3
Turn slight right
111 ft·4 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn straight onto William Street
0.4 mi·1 min·William Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto Jerusalem Avenue
2.0 mi·3 min·Jerusalem Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto Jerusalem Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Jerusalem Avenue
7
Turn slight right onto Merrick Avenue North
0.1 mi·15 sec·Merrick Avenue North
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward SO East: East Islip
9
Merge onto SO
15 mi·18 min·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto SO
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southern State Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 41SToward Bay Shore Road South, Bay ShoreUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto CR 57
0.5 mi·1 min·Bay Shore Road
13
Continue on CR 57
0.3 mi·43 sec·Howells Road
14
Turn straight onto CR 57
341 ft·6 sec·Sunrise Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Sunrise Highway
0.7 mi·1 min·Sunrise Highway
Toward NY 27 East
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward NY 27 East: Montauk
17
Merge onto NY 27
43 mi·56 min·Sunrise Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on NY 27; CR 39
5.5 mi·11 min·County Road 39
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Montauk Highway
4.8 mi·9 min·Montauk Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 79
67 ft·1 sec·Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor Turnpike
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
CR 79
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns to avoid potential congestion. You can easily complete the drive in one go without needing scheduled stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise despite the low $12 estimated cost. Given that the route involves a high volume of local turns, using a reliable GPS is essential to stay on track through the transitions between the Southern State Parkway and County Road 39. Since there are no designated stops on this 1 hour and 46-minute route, ensure you are fueled up and ready to go before leaving Hempstead. Taking the drive during off-peak hours will help you maintain a smoother pace as you navigate the turn-heavy sections.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.2 miles from Hempstead, NY, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bridgehampton, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hempstead, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hempstead, NY
This is one driving day of about 74.3 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Hempstead, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sunrise Highway for about 43.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 20.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|Jerusalem Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Jerusalem Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
5
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|SO / Southern State Parkway
Merge onto SO / Southern State Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
18.8 mi into trip|~24m in|SO / Southern State Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto SO / Southern State Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
19 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 41S
Toward Bay Shore Road South, Bay Shore
5
20.1 mi into trip|~27m in|Sunrise Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto Sunrise Highway toward NY 27 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward NY 27 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.23 one way
$24.46 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$13.22
$26.45
premium
$4.92
$14.40
$28.80
diesel
$5.61
$16.40
$32.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.3
0
$7.80
$3.57
Efficient EV
18.6
0
$6.50
$2.97
EV Truck/SUV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.76
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hempstead, NY
Night
in Hempstead on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bridgehampton, NY
Night
in Bridgehampton on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you transition between different road types. Only 21% of this 74.3-mile trip is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local infrastructure. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 43.9-mile stretch along Sunrise Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the entire journey. As you progress toward Bridgehampton, the character of the road shifts significantly from suburban arterial routes to more localized, winding paths. Be prepared for a mix of high-speed transit and slower, technical segments that define this Northeast corridor.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.9 mi on Sunrise Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Jerusalem Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Jerusalem Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
120 ft6 ft
Total Climb
122 ft
Total Descent
138 ft
Highest Point
120 ft
~58.4 mi in
Elevation Range
115 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hempstead, NY and Bridgehampton, NY, road signs point toward Bay Shore Road South and Bay Shore.
Hempstead is the most populous town in America, with a whopping 700,000 residents, located on the South Shore of Nassau County, New York. The town is highly urbanized and fragmented, containing 22 semi-autonomous villages within its boundaries, and forty other neighborhoods.
Garden City, encompassing the "Nassau Hub" region, has its own article. The other prominent communities in Hempstead include Floral Park, Hempstead Village, Valley Stream, Rockville Centre, Freeport, Merrick, and the Five Towns area.
Top landmarks
•Mitchel Air Force Base — US Air Force base in Long Island, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 74.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.9 miles on Sunrise Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bridgehampton, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Jerusalem Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles (SO / Southern State Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bridgehampton, NY before heading back.
